A WEEK'S GONE BY BUT WHAT A WEEK....

I am not being very proficient many aspects of my life lately.... and one place that is being neglected is Granma's blog!!! I'll be on it more after Jan 19th when I am again unemployed. In the meantime....

Latest anecdote.... Kirsten yesterday stopped by Grandma's in the morning... and Mom let her know that it was good that she was stopping by in the morning because 'she had her own plans for the rest of the day!' Does that not make your chin drop just a few more inches towards the floor? :) They had an excursion scheduled to go up to Mount St. Michaels and listen to the "Singing Nuns." She went on her own... none of us chaperoning her... get out.. She told Pat later in the day that she had a great time and the Nuns sang much better than the Ericksons. (That last part I made up... but I defy anyone to argue that point.)

but speaking about Erickson's singing... Ryan's Surprise 40th Birthday Party for Barb was an unimaginable success. He REALLY did surprise her and those of us fortunate enough to be there had a great time. It was the epitome of a surprise party: 30? of us crouched down in her house as she is meandering around in the front yard showing Jane her gardening prowess... and us all jumping up and screaming 'Surprise" when she FINALLY entered!

This is just a few minutes after the 'Surprise!"














Jolene sharing something obviously very important to Grandma:

















Sorry I didn't have too many great pics as I just had my Iphone... but I did manage to snag a video of the Happy Birthday Chorus. (Pleas pardon my rather strident voice which obviously I have to remember is RIGHT NEXT TO THE MICROPHONE when I am recording!)

Here is link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE9LfCVHiLw

Til I blog again....

Stroll and Roll - Wednesday June 30th

This morning I was honored to compete in the 4th annual "Stroll and Roll" at Riverview Care Center. Much like Bloomsday, participants get a T-shirt at the end of the event and no one knows the color of the shirts ahead of time. Grandma and I were a little late getting started but we managed to complete the course.
As we strolled amongst the flowers and water features the lovely lady featured above serenaded us dressed in her sequined shirt.
The course was packed! Grandma did one of her reincarnations of Grandpa as she prodded me to "hurry up" and "don't hold up the line." We only had to go around the course three times to get a t-shirt and I was in no hurry as I sang to the music.
Here is Grandma picking out a t-shirt. She asked for a Large so that she could give the shirt to her boys.
After we got our t-shirts Grandma wanted to continue going around the course. She kept telling me that we were only on lap 2 and that I was counting 1/3 of a lap as 1. At first I thought there was some dementia kicking in but then I realized that this was her sly way of keeping me going round and round. I think we finished a grand total of 7 or 8 laps. As we went around one corner I saw some young maintenance guys shooting one another with squirt guns. I warned Grandma to watch out for these hooligans. But instead of shooting at us they gave Grandma the gun. She then proceeded to shoot every staff member and plant within her reach! Be careful the next time you visit Grandma - you may get soaked!


Grandma brought her watergun to our BBQ table and kept it safely loaded and on her lap. Her tablemates joked about how we would get lunch first because we were armed. Sure enough the very first three plates of BBQ came to Grandma and her tablemates!
After lunch we went back to her room and tidied everything up. There was a letter from Joshua that she had already read from the day before. I read the letter to her again and she was just delighted. I thought this was a positive sign that even little things like a letter can bring Grandma joy over and over. I wish I would have spent more time during the last seven years getting to know my Grandmother. I am now constantly surprised by the new things I am learning about her personality.

Weekend of June 26, 27

I’m getting a bit behind on keeping up with Grandma… Grant work is increasing and it seems we are so busy. What happened to the ‘lazy, hazy, days of summer???’

Just a couple anecdotes of the last few days:
Saturday morning I went in early and was there before Grandma woke up… it was about 7:00 am. She actually stayed in bed and slept off and on for about a half hour before she was ready to get up. She was a little weak – said so herself and then had a bit of trouble standing as they were helping her with the commode. (She later said that opening up her eyes and seeing my face was too much to handle and it threw everything off for the day. :)) Anyway we decided that rather than me taking her somewhere for breakfast that it would be better to just eat there…. And after eating a good breakfast she was fine. “Her blood level was 110 and it has been around that for a a number of days the nurse said.

Grandma went to church with Pat and I yesterday at our church, St. Joseph’s in Colbert. Everything went fine and we sat up front where they have a ‘niche’ in the pews for a wheelchair. About ¾ of the way through Mass, she leaned over to me and said, “This doesn’t seem like a Catholic Church..” We talked about it afterward and she said it just doesn’t seem like it’s Catholic. We mentioned that we could go to Barb’s church or just some other churches and she let us know that she didn’t think Barb’s church was Catholic either. (It has been TOO long since this lady has been to Mass!) I am including a pic of Mom at church just to confirm we DID go to a Catholic Church! mmm maybe the Lutherans running the Vesper Services at Riverview are starting to convert her?? (Just kidding, Jolene!)

We then spent the rest of the afternoon at our house where Barb and the girls joined us. Kirsten and Dad fixed Grandma's Hamburger Stroganoff and Michaelyn fixed a huckleberry/apple pie. Mom was ready to go back ‘home,’ though, which we feel is pretty healthy. To be honest we were a relatively loud group, as usual, and I think she is getting comfortable with her quiet Riverview ‘apartment.’

Funny story: A couple days ago I was filling out a medical information form that Mom needs to complete for her eye appointment and I was going down the list where it asks if “Yes/No” do you have diabetes, stroke, etc. I got to Neurological Disorder” and she answered, “Crazy as a Loon.” I then got down to Pregnant or Nursing? And she patted her tummy and then said…well, no but I am nursing. I laughed and then she said, “Nursing – You would need a microscope to even see these boobs.” (Seriously – that was verbatim. Where is this funny Grandma coming from??? )

JUNE 24 - RECORD VISIT DAY!

Well another amazing visitor day. Ali & Jenni visited Mom in the morning, I came in the late morning and was able to have lunch and stay a bit longer in the early afternoon. Dick and all the Davenport kids headed in JUST in time for the Thursday Ice Cream Social. Jim was there in the later afternoon and stayed for dinner. Pat visited after work and while not in time for dinner, he did join Jimmie and Mom in the dining room. I headed back for the evening to pick up Pat and I heard from staff and residents that the "Erickson" table was definitely the fun table. Pat regularly gives Pietra - one of Mom's tablemates - the business and she gives it right back to him. I think Jimmy even upped the ante today. At one point Mom tried to give both of her sons to Pietra - but Pietra was having none of that...or at least none of them. When Pat and I left this evening we stopped in Pietra's room to say good night and she and Pat bantered again. (You can tell she really likes it...)

Ali's slide show of Grandpa. Ali brought copies of the Grandpa funeral video that she put together. It was interesting that when Ali brought the copies today Grandma said she wanted to watch it alone the first time. ??? And she still felt that way in the afternoon when I offered to watch it with her. But then Pat somehow convinced her to watch it with him... He prefaced by telling Mom this was probably going to be at least a five Kleenex movie. And it definitely was. Pat said both of them had tears streaming down their cheeks, but they both really enjoyed it. Ali: You did such a great job. She left copies for the Erickson's so if you don't have one yet - they are at Grandma's.

Pics to go with the last Post...

I just can't seem to get the insert pic thing down with Blogspot. I can insert one pic but then the next one mixes everything up! Here is a picture of Mom having Father's Day Dinner at our house. The second picture is of Sonny, one of the resident dogs. When we brought Mom home on Sunday we were just sitting and talking and out of the blue Sonny walks in and just plops himself down by Mom!

SUNDAY, JUNE 20th - FATHER'S DAY

Today we picked up Mom about 12 so she could spend the day at the house. Kirsten and Michaelyn cooked Pat a Father’s Day dinner using recipes that he picked out from Grandma’s Cookbook. We had Chinese Chicken, Zucchini Appetizer, Creamy Cucumbers, salad, and Rich Cookies. Mom seemed to have a good day… Again – let me communicate through short anecdotes.
1. When I called to let Riverview that we were going to take her for the day, the staff member who answered, said, “Ann? No way are you going to steal our favorite lady!!” We told Mom that and we think she loved that…
2. She is stronger so the transfers and the bathroom process was much easier this time.
3. We watched the video of pictures of her side of the family…and she really enjoyed that. It was impressive how much she knew. I am going to include two video clips of what she was saying during the video. At one point a house was in the picture and she just spit out the address in 2 seconds. We all laughed… (I accidentally deleted that part of the video. These are just videos taken by my Iphone so they are not great quality and the sound is poor, I know. But... I hope they give you a chance to 'see' Mom.) I think she feels good when she is able to remember so much.

Video Clips -
(This is a short clip where after watching the Kowal video, I asked Mom if she wanted to send a message to everyone. I was thinking she was going to say "Hope everyone is having a nice Father's Day...or something like that...but instead she says: "Well why don't you come visit me? ... Please don't be offended. She really was kidding. I don't remember this totally humorous Mom...but she now makes unbelievable funny remarks on an hourly basis. She is also kind and very appreciative...and occasionally cranky. For those of you who couldn't hear what Grandma said in an earlier video of her with the physical therapist: Everyone was telling her to push up with her hands to stand up... So she said, "Push, Push, Push - you better be careful when you say that to me...I think of the baby's head showing." (This IS a funny Mom!)

Link to: Grandma's Message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wys_lHPFP8

Link to: A couple minutes with Grandma http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-NyQfLIkrY
(This is just a couple minutes of Grandma watching and identifying people. I just thought some of you would like to just watch and listen to Grandma for a bit.)

4. About 4:30 Pat asked Mom figuring out what time she might want to go back. (We were a little worried that she might be a little sad about returning….) Instead, her answer was, “Well, I think I should get going back pretty soon.” Those relationships that she is developing at Riverview are important and beginning to pay off. That place is beginning to feel a bit like her home…or home base. We will try and continue to try to make it as homey as possible.

That's all for now... Barb just called and she is spending the morning with Mom...

MOM WALKS 350 FEET!

I forgot to add this to the last post. Today when I got there the Physical Therapist about tripped over 3 wheelchairs to get to me to let me know that Grandma had walked from the therapy room to the entire end of the hallway. This is equivalent to much longer than walking from Mom and Dad'sCharbonneau apartment to the Charbonneau dining room. We were so amazed and the PT, Shelley, was so so pleased.

Of course, when I asked Mom how far she had walked, she said just to her room. She also didn't immediately remember that Pat had been there this morning. Oh well, two steps forward, one step back. But in this case it was 350 steps forward!!! Woohoo

Thu., Fri., June 17-18th

Thursday was a great visitor day fro Grandma. Barb was there as she opened her eyes… Kirsten stopped by before Barb left. Lyn and Michaelyn came by at 11 and Kirsten rejoined them again at 12. Kirsten, Lyn & Michaelyn took Grandma out for a car lunch and what ended up being a tour of Spokane as we were looking for good pineapple chicken. (The truth be told, Grandma was not that enamored of driving around…) We all stayed and joined her for the ice cream social and would you know it = Pat showed up just before they put the ice cream away. He stayed not only through the ice cream social but of course stayed with Mom for the weekly Happy Hour and free booze….folllowed by a special Chicken Pot Pie meal. Mom seemed to be in good spirits.

On Friday Pat had coffee with her in the morning because he was able to go to work a little late and I was able to get there just before lunch ended. We went back to the room and played a game of gin rummy with some larger cards that they provided. I am not sure how Mom was really doing. Without her glasses…I think there is some eye strain issues. Pat came by about 2 so I headed out as I am starting back to work on the grants. Pat took her for a walk by the river and then they sat on the swing and swung for almost 45 minutes. Pat helped her to dinner but did not stay. He said Mom was in great spirits the entire time.

Grandma's Glasses or... A Tale of Two Switches

As noted in the doctor notes, I asked about an eye exam as Barb had relayed to me that Mom has been complaining about not being able to see very well. When I was reviewing our questions for the meeting with Jolene and mentioned the one about Grandma not seeing well, she asked if it could be the new glasses I got Grandma. I repled, “What new glasses? I didn’t get Grandma new glasses.” Jolene responded that when I had sent an earlier pic of grandma that she had thought to herself I must have got Ann new glasses as they were so pretty, hip and so much smaller. This conversation was happening in the lobby of Riverview – and about that time we looked at each other and said almost simultaneously: OH MY GOSH! The glasses that Ann is wearing ARE NOT HERS!!! They must have gotten switched at Callaway and she was in no shape to let people know. It isn’t too hard to imagine Wanda trying to put some strange lady to bed in their room and taking Ann’s glasses and putting them on this new person’s head. And I mean, these are nice prescription trifocals…. Someone at Calloway is REALLY having a hard time trying to use their trifocals. Maybe they are just thinking they have the new lineless ones. Of course, I wonder what they are thinking of their new glasses that are 5X bigger than their last pair??? Oh well…. Mom’s eye exam is July 1…

June 14-17, Mon-Thu

Mon-Thu, June 14-17
Mom continues to seem to thrive. Memory is still an issue, tears on occasion usually related to Jim, but she is increasing strength and in awareness of what is going on. She is now up to walking a hundred feet. A few anecdotes since Sunday.
Monday – Mom complained to the med nurse today that she was awakened at 5… taken to the bathroom, got half dressed, then they put her back to bed. The nurse initial said that sometimes they have lots of people to get up and get going…but that we could make it a ‘rule’ that she not be gotten up before 6. Mom really communicated well. She said something on the order of – well, I understand that things can happen, but you know, I am paying for this and it seems like I should have some say. Tammy the nurse, agreed and also told Mom that yes she has many rights…and she just needs to let us know what would work best. I just thought, “wahoo, Mom… you go girl.” (Barb, Kirsten, Pat and the Cerrillos also visited this day.)
TuesdayWednesday – Michaelyn and I visited and spent some time in the garden… then rolled her into the cafeteria where they were having Morning Coffee/Sittersize. Michaelyn puts her next to the moderator – a staff member who had been gone to Hawaii for 2 weeks. Susie, the staff member, says to Ann, “Did you miss me?” Ann replies, “Oh, I sure did.” Then - not missing a beat, she turns to Michaelyn and in an exaggerated whisper says, “Who is she???” I mean this lady has comic timing that rivals Leno.
Wednesday - Barb spent Tuesday evening with her and didn’t leave til she went to sleep… then got up early and was there Wednesday morning when Mom woke up. This was so special – Mom told me about it this afternoon… Kirsten then cam mid-day and then Jolene joined Pat and myself for the Doctor Conference. We then joined Ann for communion service; Dick and Luke got there just as that was finishing. I think Mom really enjoyed having the Davenport Ericksons there…. Pat and I stayed and had dinner with her and left this evening when she was ready for bed.
Note: Doctor Conference details will be emailed to all and linked to in the sidebar.

Sun, Jun 13th - Posted by Janice

Posted by Janice via Lyn:

Hello Everyone,
Surprise, surprise! We went to visit Mom yesterday.

She is very different than when she left Calloway. She told us that she doesn't remember much about Calloway. She said that she vaguely remembers the name Wanda. You've probably heard her say I've been talking I don't know why everybody says I wasn't talking.

Well we took a few pictures and other items back to her - her locket with Dad's picture, one of his hankies, a babushka, and a few other items. They brought a few tears but I think they are treasures. She seems to understand a whole lot more. Thanks to God for this miracle and the change of place/meds/whatever.

I asked her about her plates and we decided it would be best not to take them to Riverview. They might just disappear there.

I tried to blog but I couldn't figure it out. I know how to comment on something but I don't know how to post something. So keep blogging bloggers. I'll have to continue emailing.

Love, Janice

Sun/Mon - June 13th/14th Catching Up...and the Cerrillos make a surprise visit!

Sunday - Pat visits in the afternoon and Kirsten stops in after dinner. Mom was a bit teary when Kirsten got there and Kirsten mentioned the nurse shared that they gave her a small dose of Haldol as she was pretty sad earlier. We plan to just touch base about this at the Doctor Family Meeting on Wednesday. (We are not second guessing at all - they seem to have done such a great job...to our knowledge previous to this Mom has not had any Haldol since June 4th. It will just be good to know what precipitated the decision to give her Haldol.)

Monday AM - I was able to be there early - 7:15 as I decided to just go directly from my exercise class without showering. (Whew! You will probably hear about this from Mom.) My memories from this morning:
1. I brought her a McD's sausage McMuffin, McDonald's coffee and I went down and picked up some fresh fruit, and Boost to supplement. Interesting that while we both said McD's coffee is good...she said she thought Riverview coffee was better.
2. I offered to take her for a ride but she said that she thought she would rather just sit and enjoy the sun.
3. She asked me to help her get a daily activity sheet because she wanted to see what was going on. No Bingo - but she wanted to go to Sittersize at 10:45. We were back in the room when the Sittersize lady came in asking if she was going to be there... said that she depended on Ann to help her with the count. Mom went down and I observed for a bit before leaving.
A Reflection: Remember how Mom kind of shunned Charbonneau activities, exercise? I think part of the change of attitude at Riverview is because here she is a star...she can do the exercises better than anyone else (today, anyway..) Maybe at Charbonneau there were some 'younger, stronger' ladies and with her broken hip/arm... it made her feel extra old??? Just a thought. Great that she wants to participate.

Monday PM - Barb visited with Bel & Claire at 2 and while I don't know the order - the Cerrillo's rolled in and Pat was there after work and before church. Kirsten finished off the day by visiting after dinner/before bed. I called Mom and she said she had the best day visitors, she mentioned that Mary had called and Mom said, and I quote, "It just takes a few words to help someone get out of the dumps." Now assuming she didn't mean that she helped Mary out of the dumps... this is a great reminder for all of us to try and give her a quick call.

Granma Renewed

Where has this mother been? Karen and I stopped by Saturday morning to visit and were pleasantly surprised by a coherent, pleasant woman. My last several visists were nothing to cherish. We talked in her room for a while and she shared that she doesn't remember Dad's funeral, but knows she was there because she saw the pictures and the obituary. There still are the signs of dementia because she pointed to Annie's graduation photo and said that it was her sister's daughter. She seems so pleased by all the new features in her room: couch, chairs, bookcase, and most definitely pictures. She told us she wants to put all the pictures in a photo album so she can hold them on her lap.
We then took her outside and sat down by the road to watch the river, joggers and bikers stroll by on a beautiful day.
When Pat and Lyn came by she was surprised that Lyn has a new car, even though she has rode in it.
While we were getting her ready to go to Pat's house she showed off her old humor. While the attendant was taking her to the bathroom, she had a loud, wet bowel movement. While we were giving thumbs up in her main room, Mom blurts out "did that get on anyone". We all broke out laughing.
She also told us how much she enjoyed the food here. She also talked about her exercise and therapy program, so it seems she is adapting and participating. Where has this woman been for the last year?
I will continue to visit her regularly as I travel through Spokane.

Sat, Jun 12th Grandma's First REAL Outing...

Today we brought Mom home for a few hours... With Michaelyn's help we were able to transfer her out of the car and get her into the house. Pat would not be able to do it alone nor do I have the strength to be that second person. BUT... it was a great day. When we got to Riverview to pick her up Jimmie and Karen were sitting outside with her... a great surprise. The visit at our house was low-key... The day was so beautiful we had lunch on the porch (pic) and then just watched home movies. We had a great time watching a Shipman Thanksgiving, a 1990 Othello picnic that involved a Auntie Mary-led water balloon war, finished up by a 'grandchildren feeding the lambs' experience.

Kirsten was scheduled to eat dinner with her so it helped with the transition back home. Let's pray that the days stay this good...

Walked 85 steps today and went SHOPPING!!!

NOW WE HAVE PROOF MOM IS HEALED! SHE'S SHOPPING!!!!
I am posting from my Iphone today so this will be short. Another good day... They had a Book Fair in the Lobby - the same company that sells in schools. I asked Mom if she had gone down and she said, "I was just waiting for you!". We went down and picked up a new purse and some children's books for the Grandkids to read when they visit. She really took a long time reading each of them.

About three staff came thru while we were there and they each stopped and talked to her. She was pretty proud about everyone knowing her.

Pat was there in the afternoon thru dinner and he said she walked 85 feet today!
boy we appreciate these good days. Even if things go south for some reason, I am just going to treasure this time.

barb and Ryan are in Lewiston for Chad's wedding and we haven't heard that anyone is visiting soPat is planning on bringing Mom for Saturday afternoon.

FYI

The schedule Lyn made so we can send Grandma cards/packages/letters is now posted as a google doc just like the calendar, the link is over on the right side of this blog :)

Hair Therapy and Hat Day...

Brief capsule of day:
I got there at 11 for Mom's hair appointment. The hairdresser's name is Sarah and she is so right for the job - you can tell she loves what she does. She also gave her a manicure today and it really helped Mom's nails. We will not do that on a regular basis. I think Kirsten, Barb and myself can take turns giving her a manicure and she would enjoy it just as much.

We went to lunch at Riverview together...about 3 to 4 people commented on how nice her hair looked. Mom napped a bit until it was time for the 2:00 ice cream social. Pat was joining us and I asked her if she wanted us to bring the ice cream to the room. She replied that she would rather go eat with the people in the room. (Wow....)

We had ice cream... sat down at a table with about 4 ladies but then three other ladies joined us as the conversation was somewhat animated, led by Pat, of course.

Barb, Claire and Bel joined us in the afternoon and we visited until dinner when we left.

Mom just called and was a little frantic as she wanted Pat to know that they had Bingo tonight. :)

Picture today: We took down a paper flower from Mom's bulletin board and she took it and put it her hair, commenting that she thought it was quite a beautiful hat. :)

HOMEMADE SOUP AND HAND THERAPY

Unplanned, I brought Ann some homemade chicken rice soup. (I couldn’t play golf as I had a cortisone shot, but I stopped by the golf course and Herb, the cook, was just finishing up a batch of chicken rice soup. He truly makes it from scratch including his own base. So Grandma and I had soup, bread and store-bought cookies in her room and it was quite nice. I supplemented it with salad, coffee, and fruit from the kitchen. I just called ahead and they had it all ready...(Remember that if you choose to do the same.)

We then did a little hand therapy – rubbed lotion and then put on our ‘aloe gloves’ so her hands could be soothed while we curled her hair. And then, because she looked so beautiful – I mean, why SHOULDN’t WE GO OUT ON THE TOWN??? We took a ride and sized up some SASS shoes. (The clerk made 5 trips out to the car to get her fitted), picked up a McDonald’s ice cream cone, and visited my sister, Dee, at Mead High School. (Dee came out to the car and visited.) I got her back to Riverview just as Pat arrived and he was taking her to Mass and then to their Luau. (Will tell you more when Pat gets home… I do know they cooked a WHOLE pig and paraded it around...and had Pina Coladas this afternoon. (You know, I’m thinking maybe Pat and I will skip the move into a smaller house and just move into Riverview.)

Pat's comments upon getting home:

1. Mom was great....less fussing when he left.
2. At dinner he is making a concerted effort to engage Mom talking with other residents. He asked the ward nurse to suggest possible 'friends.' She gave him a couple names and the residents live quite close to Mom.
3. They are discussing increasing her Cymbalta, but they have not had to give her Haldol since June 4th
4. Using the button in her room. If Grandma says she needs to go to the bathroom, have her push the button and help her follow thru asking staff to do what she needs. Too often we just go to hallway and get someone, but if we want her to be independent, then we need to have her do it herself.

They had a luau this evening - paraded the whole pig through many of the hallways, had pina colada's in the afternoon and mai-tai's offered in the evening. Pat said it was pretty nice.

God Bless All!

Tuesday, June 8th Grandma sings "Happy Anniversary"

What better way to celebrate one’s 36th wedding anniversary than to have dinner with Mom! That is what we did and it really was pretty special. She recollected a lot about her visitors over the weekend. Pat got there in time to participate in Bingo and Mom was decked out with a lei that she won with one of her Bingos. (They are prepping for their luau tomorrow.)

Her bath schedule is Tuesday/Friday… so Amy took her off for her Jacuzzi tub bath… (See Pic). As we got ready to leave she was teary, a bit worried about “what to do?”, but the best time of the day was as we left, she sang, “Happy Anniversary to You….Pat hugged me and said he loved his ‘sweetie.’ And Grandma started crying more and said “oh, you have your sweetie..” I told her yes, and I hoped to have him 30 more years as she did… and she stopped crying and said, “That’s right…” Magical night.

Monday, June 7th - ANOTHER day of visitors!

Mary was there early in the morning to be with Mom before she left for Seattle. I met Ryan and Bel there as Bel was officially taking care of me on Monday. Before Mary headed out for the long drive home, we looked at the funeral pictures on my computer with Mom. Mom cried through much of it but I would describe it as tears of gratitude. (The reality is that Mom, Mary and I all cried.) As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we just realized she had no memory of Dad’s funeral or the ensuing celebrations. While my pics were not great – they did include the whole weekend, from the dinner on Thursday night, to the funeral, the church reception, the party at the motel, and the Charbonneau Reception. I wish I had been able to video all of those special times, like when she would voice how much she appreciated seeing the people there. Mary was amazing at how she helped Mom be reflective about the good times and her blessings...

Below is a link to one small minute. It is emotional but I am sharing it because it really shows a 'healthy crying Mom." It starts out and we are looking at a picture of Dave Erickson and Mary tells the story of how she enjoyed hugging a ‘real’ Erickson. Mom then makes a comment about how wonderful it is and how it is all about Dad.... and then she quickly says, "And that's ok," to make sure we realized she was just lovingly saying "it was all about Dad." A poignant moment.

LINK TO VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUl0jd0rwcw

After Mary left, Bel and I went outside with Grandma…. It initially was a bit cold so we gave Mom some Bel medicine (Pic 1) and then bundled her up! (See pic 2).
Jimmy surprised us and joined us as we watched Bel get to know the playground equipment. He


stayed with Mom and Bel and I ran out and did errands.

Then Barb and Claire met us back at Riverview so Grandma had the best full day of visitors. Pat capped it off at the end of the day.